List of Bad Company band members

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Bad Company in 1976.

Bad Company were an English hard rock band from London. Formed in 1973, the group originally featured vocalist and rhythm guitarist Paul Rodgers, lead guitarist Mick Ralphs, bassist Boz Burrell and drummer / percussionist Simon Kirke. The band's final lineup featured constant member Kirke, Rodgers (absent between 1986 and 1998), guitarist Howard Leese (joined 2008), and bassist Todd Ronning (joined 2012).

History[edit]

1973–1999[edit]

Bad Company were formed in late 1973 by former Free vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, alongside former Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and former King Crimson bassist Raymond "Boz" Burrell.[1] The band were active with their initial lineup until 1982, during which time they released six studio albums that brought them critical and commercial success.[2] After recording sessions for Rough Diamonds led to arguments and confrontations between band members, particularly Rodgers and Burrell, the vocalist left Bad Company and the group disbanded.[3]

In 1986, Ralphs and Kirke began working together on a new project with former Ted Nugent band vocalist Brian Howe.[4] The group was later branded Bad Company at the request of their label Atlantic Records, with Steve Price performing on Fame and Fortune before Burrell returned for the European tour.[5] Gregg Dechert was also added to the touring lineup on keyboards and rhythm guitar.[6] Burrell left after the European tour, with Price returning for the American tour.[7] Price played bass on the album 'Dangerous Age' and completed the American tour before leaving the band in 1990. in 1988, Dechert was replaced on tour by Larry Oakes.[8] Paul Cullen joined on bass after the release of Holy Water in 1990,[9] while Dave "Bucket" Colwell joined on second guitar.[10] Geoff Whitehorn substituted for Ralphs during the tour.[11]

Colwell remained part of the touring lineup in 1992 alongside new bassist Rick Wills,[10] with both featured on the live release What You Hear Is What You Get.[12] In the summer of 1994, Howe left Bad Company and was replaced by Robert Hart.[13] The group released Company of Strangers the following year, on which Colwell and Wills were credited as full band members.[14] In late 1998, Rodgers and Burrell returned for a reunion of the original lineup of Bad Company, recording four new tracks and touring throughout 1999.[1][15] After the tour, the group disbanded again.[16]

Since 2001[edit]

A third reformation of Bad Company took place in the spring of 2001, with Rodgers and Kirke joined by Colwell and Wills.[17] Jaz Lochrie replaced Wills in 2002.[18] In 2008, Ralphs joined the pair for a one-off show at Hard Rock Live.[19] Rhythm guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen, both members of Rodgers's solo band, completed the lineup.[20] The same lineup returned for a North American tour the following year,[21] followed by UK and US shows in 2010.[22] Another member of the vocalist's touring band, Todd Ronning, replaced Sorensen in 2012.[23]

For a US tour in mid-2016, Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes substituted for Ralphs, who was "not feeling up for" the shows.[24] He later returned, but was forced to leave later in the year after suffering a stroke.[25]

Members[edit]

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Simon Kirke - Bad Company - 1976.jpg
 Simon Kirke
  • 1973–1982
  • 1986–1999
  • 2001–2002
  • 2008–2019
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing vocals
  • occasional lead vocals and guitar
 all Bad Company releases
Queen 2005 1010006.JPG
 Paul Rodgers
  • 1973–1982
  • 1998–1999
  • 2001–2002
  • 2008–2019
  • lead vocals
  • rhythm guitar
  • keyboards
  • harmonica
 all releases from Bad Company (1974) to Rough Diamonds (1982), and from Merchants of Cool (2002) onwards
Mick Ralphs - Bad Company - 1976.jpg
 Mick Ralphs
  • 1973–1982
  • 1986–1999
  • 2008–2016
  • lead guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 all releases from Bad Company (1974) to Live in Concert 1977 & 1979 (2016), except Merchants of Cool (2002)
Boz Burrell 1 - Bad Company - 1976.jpg
 Raymond "Boz" Burrell
  • 1973–1982
  • 1986–1987
  • 1998–1999 (died 2006)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Bad Company performs for the troops DVIDS259839.jpg
 Brian Howe 1986–1994 (died 2020)
  • lead vocals
  • saxophone
 all releases from Fame and Fortune (1986) to What You Hear Is What You Get (1993)

Steve Price

  • 1986
  • 1987–1994
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 Fame and Fortune (1986) to Dangerous Age (1988)
Dave "Bucket" Colwell
  • 1994–1998
  • 2001–2002 (touring 1991–1994)
  • guitar (lead 2001–2002, rhythm otherwise)
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Rick and Mac by Grifoto.JPG
 Rick Wills
  • 1994–1998
  • 2001 (touring 1992–1994)
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • What You Hear Is What You Get (1993)
  • Company of Strangers (1995)
  • Stories Told & Untold (1996)
2016 Lieder am See - Manfred Manns Earth Band - Robert Hart - by 2eight - DSC4546.jpg
 Robert Hart 1994–1998 lead vocals
  • Company of Strangers (1995)
  • Stories Told & Untold (1996)
Jaz Lochrie 2002
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 Merchants of Cool (2002)
Howard Leese, 2009.jpg
 Howard Leese 2008–2019
  • guitar (lead from 2016, rhythm and lead otherwise)
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards
Todd Ronning 2012–2019
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 none

Touring[edit]

Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Gregg Dechert 1986–1987
  • keyboards
  • rhythm guitar
 Dechert performed on Fame and Fortune and the subsequent touring cycle, ending in late 1987.[6]
Larry Oakes 1988–1989
  • keyboards
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
 After the release of Dangerous Age, Oakes took over from Dechert as the touring keyboardist.[8]
Paul Cullen 1990–1992 bass Cullen joined the touring lineup of Bad Company following the release of Holy Water in 1990.[26]
2018 Procol Harum - Geoff Whitehorn - by 2eight - 8SC9099.jpg
 Geoff Whitehorn 1990–1991
  • lead guitar
  • backing vocals
 Whitehorn substituted for Ralphs on the Holy Water tour between June 1990 and April 1991.[11]
Rich Robinson (Black Crowes).jpg
 Rich Robinson 2016 Robinson substituted for Ralphs during a US tour between May and July 2016 due to illness.[24]

Timeline[edit]

Lineups[edit]

Period Members Releases
Late 1973 – summer 1982
Group inactive 1982–1986
Mid – late 1986
  • Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone
  • Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Steve Price - bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Late 1986 – early 1987
  • Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone
  • Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Boz Burrell – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
 none
Early 1987 – summer 1994
  • Brian Howe – lead vocals, saxophone
  • Mick Ralphs – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Steve Price - bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Summer 1994 – late 1998
  • Robert Hart – lead vocals
  • Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Dave Colwell – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Late 1998 – summer 1999
  • Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica
  • Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Boz Burrell – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Group inactive 1999–2001
Early – late 2001
  • Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica
  • Dave Colwell – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
 none
Early – late 2002
  • Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica
  • Dave Colwell – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Jaz Lochrie – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Group inactive 2002–2008
July 2008 – June 2012
  • Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica
  • Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Howard Leese – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Lynn Sorensen – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
June 2012 – November 2016
  • Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica
  • Mick Ralphs – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Howard Leese – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Todd Ronning – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals
 none
November 2016 – present
  • Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica
  • Howard Leese – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Todd Ronning – bass, backing vocals
  • Simon Kirke – drums, percussion, backing vocals

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Bad Company: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "10 from 6 - Bad Company: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  3. ^ DeRiso, Nick (14 August 2017). "35 Years Ago: Bad Company Disintegrates After Releasing 'Rough Diamonds'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  4. ^ "On the Beat" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 18. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. 3 May 1986. p. 22. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  5. ^ Liveten, Sharon (27 December 1986). "Bad Company Is Back With Album, Tour" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 35. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b DeRiso, Nick (22 October 2016). "30 Years Ago: Bad Company Stumbles Into Post-Paul Rodgers Era With 'Fame And Fortune'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  7. ^ Longsdorf, Amy (26 November 1988). "Reformed Bad Company Is Now At That Dangerous Age". The Morning Call. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  8. ^ a b Fishman, Charles (19 July 1992). "Derek Trucks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Pop's Foremost Authorities!" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 12. New York City, New York: BPI Communications, Inc. 20 March 1993. p. 81. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Q&A with Dave Colwell". Bay of Plenty Times. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Guitarist, Mr. Geoff Whitehorn". Procol Harum. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  12. ^ "The Best of Bad Company Live...What You Hear Is What You Get - Bad Company: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  13. ^ Churchill, Nick (16 September 2009). "Good times with Bad Company". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  14. ^ Company of Strangers (Media notes). Bad Company (Artist). East West Records. 1995. Retrieved 3 April 2019.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Ginsberg, Geoff. "The Original Bad Company Anthology - Bad Company: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  16. ^ Wall, Mick (28 May 2014). "Bad Company: The Bad Old Days". Classic Rock. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  17. ^ Iwasaki, Scott (25 May 2001). "Bad Company, Styx are glad to be back in front of fans". Deseret News. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  18. ^ Jurek, Thom. "In Concert: Merchants of Cool - Bad Company: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  19. ^ Kreps, Daniel (2 July 2008). "Bad Company to Reunite for One-Night-Only Concert". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  20. ^ "Hard Rock Live - Bad Company: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  21. ^ Graff, Gary (31 March 2009). "Bad Company reuniting for summer tour". Reuters. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  22. ^ Prince, Patrick (28 June 2010). "Bad Company announce 2010 North American tour with original members". Goldmine. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  23. ^ Young, Michael (31 October 2017). "Full Circle with Bad Company". Artist Waves. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  24. ^ a b DeRiso, Nick (18 March 2016). "Bad Company Replaces Mick Ralphs With Black Crowes' Rich Robinson". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  25. ^ DeRiso, Nick (4 November 2016). "Bad Company And Mott The Hoople Guitarist Mick Ralphs Suffers Stroke". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  26. ^ www.paulcullen.rocks https://www.paulcullen.rocks/bad-company. Retrieved 2022-07-10. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links[edit]

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